sai2 ji5 gung1 ting1洗耳恭聽洗耳恭听
Jyutpingsai2 ji5 gung1 ting1
Yalesái yíh gūng tīng
Definition
To listen with all ears; to be ready to listen with rapt attention.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
This idiom carries a formal and slightly dramatic tone, often used when someone is about to hear an important announcement or a piece of advice. While it literally means to wash one's ears to listen respectfully, it is frequently used with a touch of irony or playfulness in casual conversation to show that you are giving someone your undivided attention.
Examples
Common phrases
Common mistake
Avoid using this in overly casual or dismissive contexts, as it implies a level of seriousness or deference that might sound sarcastic if the situation is trivial.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
